JP2000145226A - Keyless entry system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyless entry system which is excellent in an operator's convenience and can vary the execution timing of lock operation by an operator' s setting. SOLUTION: In this system for controlling the lock and unlock operation of a door lock mechanism 3 by an on-vehicle machine 2 according to the field strength of a radio signal transmitted from a portable machine 1, when designated time is set by a setting switch 30, the on-vehicle machine 2 instructs lock operation after the lapse of designated time regardless of field strength of a received signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a keyless entry system for locking and unlocking an automobile or the like without a key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automobile, for example, a driver or the like does not lock or unlock a key cylinder with a predetermined key, and operates a predetermined switch on a portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as a portable device). Is performed, a control unit (hereinafter referred to as an in-vehicle device) provided in the vehicle is locked / locked in response to a predetermined radio wave transmitted in response to the operation.
A so-called keyless entry system for unlocking has been widely used.

In recent years, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 8029, in order to improve the convenience of the operator, without providing an operation switch on the portable device, a predetermined wireless signal is constantly transmitted from the portable device, and when the wireless signal is received by the vehicle-mounted device, A keyless entry system has been proposed in which the in-vehicle device performs locking and unlocking according to the magnitude of the received electric field strength of the wireless signal.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the convenience of the operator is improved when the operator holds heavy luggage in both hands, for example, but the locking operation by the on-vehicle device is not performed by the operator. Is performed at a position distant from the vehicle to some extent, and it is expected that the operator may feel anxious about whether or not the door lock has been securely performed.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-177401, in a keyless entry system including a portable device without an operation switch as described above, when an operator performs a predetermined operation on a door handle after getting off the vehicle, A keyless entry system that performs a locking operation has been proposed. However, with this system configuration, it is difficult for the operator to perform a locking operation at a position near the vehicle when heavily loaded items are held in both hands.

Therefore, the present invention is excellent in convenience for the operator,
It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyless entry system in which the execution timing of the lock operation can be changed by setting by an operator.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a keyless entry system according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a keyless entry system in which an on-vehicle device controls a locking / unlocking operation of a door lock mechanism in accordance with a received electric field strength of a radio signal transmitted from a portable device. And a control means for instructing the door lock mechanism to lock after a predetermined period of time elapses from a timing at which a door of a vehicle equipped with the device is closed.

[0009] Preferably, the control means starts timing the predetermined time from the timing when all the doors of the vehicle are closed.

[0010] For example, the control means may reset the timing of the predetermined time when any of the doors of the vehicle is opened during the timing of the predetermined time.

[0011] Further, for example, the control means includes detection means for detecting whether or not the portable device is present in a vehicle on which the on-vehicle device is mounted, based on the magnitude of the electric field strength of the received radio signal. When the detecting means detects that the portable device is present in the vehicle, the lock operation is prohibited.

Further, for example, when the control means detects unlock by a lock knob of a vehicle on which the on-vehicle device is mounted after the predetermined time has elapsed, the control means resets the timing of the predetermined time.

[0013] Alternatively, to achieve the above object, a keyless entry system according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a keyless entry system in which an in-vehicle device controls the locking / unlocking operation of a door lock mechanism according to the result of comparing the received electric field strength of a radio signal transmitted from a portable device with a threshold value. The vehicle-mounted device sets the threshold value to a predetermined value when detecting that a door of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device has been closed or opened, or that an ignition key switch has been turned off. And a control means for changing the value to a value larger than the initial value.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a keyless entry system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an embodiment applied to an automobile as an example.

[First Embodiment] First, the hardware of the keyless entry system in the present embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic views showing the external shape of a portable device of a keyless entry system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The portable device 1 of FIG. 1 is integrated with a general engine key. The portable device 1A shown in FIG.
Has a card type form.

Of these portable devices, portable devices 1 and 1A
Has a first unlock switch 11, a lock switch 1
And two operation switches, ie, a second unlock switch 13 and a first operation switch.
An unlock switch 11A and a lock switch 12 are provided.

The details of the function of each operation switch will be described later, but to briefly explain here, when the first unlock switch 11 is pressed, the vehicle is unlocked and the unlocked state is set. Will be maintained. When the lock switch 12 is pressed, a locking operation is performed on the vehicle side, and the locked state is maintained. The second unlock switch 13 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the portable devices 1 and 1
In FIG. 1A, the first unlock switch 11 and the second unlock switch 13 are provided at different positions as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in order to prevent the operator from making a mistake. In the portable device 1B, the portable devices 1 and 1 are switched according to the operation state of the first unlock switch 11A by the operator.
A functions as two types of unlock switches of the first unlock switch 11 and the second unlock switch 13 in A.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a basic operation of the vehicle-mounted device when the second unlock signal is transmitted from the portable device in the first embodiment of the present invention, and is indicated by a broken line shown in FIG. The area of the circle schematically shows a region where the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle can receive the second unlock signal transmitted from the portable device.

When the operator with the portable device sending the second unlock signal enters the circle of the broken line while the vehicle is in the locked state, the vehicle-mounted device that has received the second unlock signal Perform an unlocking operation. On the other hand, in the unlocked state, if the operator carrying the portable device that is sending the second unlock signal goes away from the circle of the broken line, the vehicle-mounted device cannot receive the second unlock signal. Perform lock operation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the keyless entry system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a portable unit 1 (1A) includes the above three types of operation switches and a CPU 1 that executes a transmission processing program for a lock / unlock operation described later.
5, a ROM 16 in which the program and the identification number (ID) of the portable device are stored in advance, a RAM 17 for temporarily storing the processing result, and a predetermined transmission of a predetermined lock signal and an unlock signal according to output data of the CPU 15. Transmitter 18 for transmitting electric field strength, CPU for receiving signals from external devices
15 includes a receiver 19 for demodulating the data into identifiable data, and a buzzer 20 for notifying the operator of the operation state of the portable device. The portable device 1 (1A) is driven by a power supply supplied from a built-in battery (not shown).

The configuration of the portable device 1B is the same as that of the portable device 1 (1) except that the second unlock switch is not provided.
This is the same as the configuration of A).

The in-vehicle device 2 converts the received signal from the external device into C
A receiver 29 for demodulating the data into data identifiable by the PU 25, C
A transmitter 28 for transmitting a predetermined signal at a predetermined electric field strength in accordance with output data of the PU 25, a CPU 25 for executing a lock / unlock processing program to be described later by operating the door lock mechanism 3, and a program or a pair thereof. ROM 26 in which identification numbers (ID) of one or more portable devices are stored in advance, and RAM for temporarily storing processing results
27, execution timing of lock operation (details will be described later)
Switch 30 and setting switch 3 that can arbitrarily set
A buzzer 31 is provided for notifying a setting state of 0.

Here, the parameters set by the setting switch 30 will be briefly described. In the first embodiment, when the vehicle-mounted device 2 determines whether or not the locking operation is necessary according to the electric field strength of the received unlock signal. The threshold value S to be used is changed. In a second embodiment described later,
An execution timing (predetermined time T1) at which the locking operation is to be performed is set separately from the control for the vehicle-mounted device 2 to perform the locking operation according to the electric field strength of the received unlock signal.

The in-vehicle device 2 detects the operation state of a door switch 6 for detecting the open / closed state of the door, the door knob switch 7 capable of operating lock / unlock from the door compartment side, and the operation of an ignition (IG) key. Connected to an ignition key switch 8 to detect the states of these switches.

The in-vehicle device 2 is driven by a power supplied from a battery (not shown) provided in the vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transmission signal that can be transmitted by the portable device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the CPUs 15 of the portable devices 1 and 1A are provided with a first unlock signal when the first unlock switch 11 is pressed, a lock signal when the lock switch 12 is pressed, and When the second unlock switch 13 is pressed, a second unlock signal is transmitted via the transmitter 18.

In the portable device 1B, since the second unlock switch 13 is not provided, the CPU 15 outputs the first unlock signal when the first unlock switch 11A is pressed for less than a predetermined time. A second unlock signal is transmitted via the transmitter 18 when pressed for longer than the predetermined time.

In the following description, it is assumed that the portable devices 1 and 1A (hereinafter, 1A are omitted), and when the second unlock switch 13 is pressed, the portable device 1B has the first It is assumed that the unlock switch 11A has been pressed for a longer time than the predetermined time, and the individual description of the portable device 1B will be omitted.

Each of the above three types of signals is a predetermined start bit and a portable unit ID representing an individual identification number of the portable unit.
Each field 101 of a bit, an operation instruction bit indicating a lock operation or two types of unlock operations described later, a parity bit by a general method, and a predetermined end bit
To 105.

Next, the operation of the keyless entry system according to the present embodiment will be described by describing software executed on the above-described hardware with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a radio signal transmitted from the portable device in the first embodiment of the present invention. The radio signal transmitted when three types of operation switches are pressed on the portable device 1 is shown. 3 shows a basic pattern of a signal.

As shown in the figure, the portable device 1 according to the present embodiment is designed to minimize power consumption only when three types of operation switches are pressed, as described below. The predetermined radio signal described with reference to FIG.

In the case of FIG. 7: When the first unlock switch 11 is pressed, the first unlock signal is transmitted only once at the transmission electric field strength K1. this is,
Considering the situation in which the first unlock switch 11 is depressed when no wireless signal is transmitted, there is a high possibility that the operator is operating the portable device 1 near the car, so this is the case. In such a situation, even if a wireless signal whose transmission electric field strength is weaker than that of K2 is transmitted only once, the in-vehicle device 2 can sufficiently receive the wireless signal. Thereby, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

In the case of FIG. 7: When the lock switch 12 is depressed, the lock signal is transmitted once only at the transmission electric field strength K2. This means that, even when the operator is away from the vicinity of the car to some extent, from the viewpoint of crime prevention, a radio signal having a stronger electric field strength than K1 is transmitted,
The in-vehicle device 2 should perform the locking more reliably by the wireless signal. The signal is transmitted only once in order to suppress unnecessary power consumption. However, in order to perform locking more reliably, the signal may be transmitted a plurality of times.

In the case of FIG. 7, when the second unlock switch 13 is depressed, the second unlock signal is transmitted for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, a predetermined number of times (four times) in the transmission electric field strength K2). ) Is sent intermittently.
Therefore, since the second unlock signal is transmitted intermittently,
Power consumption can be suppressed as compared with continuous transmission.

In the present embodiment, a second unlock signal is transmitted as shown in FIG. Therefore, even when the operator is located within the reception range of the second unlock signal of the vehicle-mounted device, the lock operation is automatically performed when the transmission of the signal a predetermined number of times is completed.

Here, the reason why the signal is intermittently transmitted a predetermined number of times is that the operator holds the baggage, for example, when the operator approaches the vehicle with both hands from a place that is somewhat distant from the vicinity of the car. If the switch is pressed before, the unlocking operation is automatically performed by transmitting the signal intermittently a plurality of times, so that the unlocking operation while holding the baggage and the portable device after the unlocking is completed This is because the operator can be released from the operation stop operation and unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

The reason why the transmission electric field strength of the second unlock signal is set to K2 which is higher than K1 is that when the second unlock signal is transmitted by the second unlock switch 13, the operator holds the portable device 1 in the pocket. In such a situation, it is expected that the signal transmitted from the portable device 1 will be weakened by clothes or the like, so that the portable device 1 will be operated with the hand held in FIG. Case (electric field strength K
The transmission is performed at the transmission electric field strength K2 in order to realize a transmission range substantially the same as the transmission range described in (1).

In the case of FIG. 7, when the transmission of the second unlock signal is started by the depression of the second unlock switch 13, the first unlock signal is transmitted before the signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times. When the switch 11 is depressed, the first unlock signal is transmitted once only at the transmission electric field strength K2 or intermittently plural times (two times in the present embodiment). This means that the depression of the first unlock switch 11 while the second unlock signal is being transmitted means that in some circumstances (for example, it is automatically locked when moving away from the car). This is because the operator desires that the unlocked state be maintained, for example, when the user changes his or her opinion that maintaining the unlocked state is more desirable.
Further, the first unlock signal is set to K2 which is stronger than electric field strength K1.
Is sent by the operator in the first situation,
The situation after the transmission of the first unlock switch 11 is different between the locked state and the unlocked state after the transmission is completed, and the conflicting unlock operation is performed more reliably.

In the case of FIG. 7, when the transmission of the second unlock signal is started by pressing the second unlock switch 13, the lock switch 12 is turned off before the signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times. When depressed, the lock signal is transmitted once only at the transmission electric field strength K2, or intermittently plural times (two times in this embodiment). This means that when the lock switch 12 is pressed while the second unlock signal is being transmitted, for example, it was initially hoped that the lock would be automatically locked when moving away from the car, but immediately thereafter. This is because it is expected that the idea that locking should be performed is changed. The reason why the lock signal is intermittently transmitted a plurality of times is to perform the lock operation more reliably. At this time, if priority is given to reducing power consumption, the signal is transmitted once only once, or the second unlock signal is pressed before the lock switch 12 is pressed, and this signal is In either case, after the number of transmissions, or when the operator moves outside the reception range of the signal, the locking operation is performed. Therefore, the transmission of the second unlock signal being transmitted intermittently is stopped. And the lock signal may not be transmitted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts of lock / unlock processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, a power supply unit (not shown) of the vehicle-mounted device 2 Is started.

In the figure, step S101: R
The ID data of the portable device 1 stored in the OM 26 is
Read in AM27.

Step S102: It is determined whether or not the operation switch 30 has been operated. If YES (operated), the process proceeds to step S103. If NO (not operated), the process proceeds to step S105.

Here, the setting switch 30 that allows the operator to arbitrarily set the execution timing of the lock operation will be described. In the present embodiment, the operator can set the execution timing of the locking operation by the setting switch 30 in the vehicle immediately before getting off or in the vicinity of the vehicle immediately after getting off. When the operator presses the setting switch 30, the vehicle-mounted device 2
Is changed from the initial value J2 (J2 <J1) to J1 according to the electric field strength of the second unlock signal received by the door lock mechanism 3 when the lock operation is performed. Threshold S
Is changed to J1, the in-vehicle device 2 performs the locking operation when the portable device 1 (operator) is located closer than when the threshold value S is set to the initial value J2. When the switch is pressed again, the setting may be returned to the initial value J2 (when the switch is returned to the initial value J2, the operation of the switch is cancelled). As a method of confirming the setting state of the setting switch 30, a method of sounding the buzzer 31 (for example, short or long, or a combination thereof) may be used. Thereby, the operator can easily confirm the setting state.

Step S103: The internal flag X indicating that the threshold value S has been set by the setting switch 30 is set to 1.

Step S104: The threshold value S used to determine the lock / unlock operation is set to J1.

Step S105: It is determined whether or not any door is opened by the door switch 6. When YES (open), the process proceeds to step S106, and when NO (closed), the process proceeds to step S107.

Step S106: The buzzer 31 notifies the setting state of the vehicle-mounted device 2, that is, the fact that the threshold value S has been set to J1.

Step S107: It is determined whether or not the internal flag X is set to 1. If YES (X = 1), the process proceeds to step S108, and if NO (X = 0), the process proceeds to step S110.

Step S108: It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the ignition key switch 8 was turned off. If YES (the predetermined time has elapsed), the flow proceeds to Step S109; if NO (within the specified time), Proceed to step S110.

Step S109: The internal flag X is reset to 0, and the threshold value S is reset to the initial value J2.

Here, step S108 and step S108
The reason for performing the process 109 is that the threshold value S is J2
When the operator carrying the portable device 1 returns to the vehicle from a distance from the vehicle, the operator is more likely to enter the vehicle than when the threshold value S is the initial value J2. This is because the unlocking operation by the vehicle-mounted device 2 is not performed unless the vehicle approaches. Therefore, after the lapse of a predetermined time, the internal flag X is reset to 0 and the threshold value S is reset to the initial value J2, so that the convenience when the operator returns to the vehicle from a distant place is secured. I do.

It is to be noted that the determination in step S108 may be made by determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was closed by the door switch 6, or by the second
The reception strength of the unlock signal is a predetermined value (however, the initial value J2
Even if the value is set to a value that is sufficiently smaller, it is possible to ensure convenience when the operator returns to the vehicle from a distant place.

Step S110, Step S111: It is detected whether a radio signal has been received from the outside (Step S11).
0), if detected (YES), step S112
If not detected (NO), step S12
Proceed to 4.

Steps S112 and S113: The data in the field 102 (portable device ID bit) of the received signal and the I stored in the RAM 27 in step S101.
D data is compared, and when both data match (YES), the process proceeds to step S114. When they do not match (NO), the currently received signal is not a wireless signal from the portable device 1 to be targeted. So step S10
Return to 2.

Step S114: Parity is calculated based on the received signal, and it is determined whether or not the calculated value matches the data of the field 104 (parity bit) of the signal. Both data match (YES). of)
In some cases, the process returns to step S115, and when they do not match (NO), the process returns to step S102 because the signal currently being received is not a wireless signal from the portable device 1 to be targeted.

Step S115: Based on the data in the field 103 of the received signal, it is determined whether the signal is one of the above three types of signals. When the signal is a lock signal, the process proceeds to step S117, and when the signal is a lock signal, the process proceeds to step S125.

Step S116: Since the unlock operation should be performed immediately when the received signal is the first unlock signal, execution / non-execution of the operation by the second unlock signal described with reference to FIG. 4 is represented. The identification flag G is reset to 0 (not executed), and the process proceeds to step S122.

Steps S117 to S119: When the received signal is the second unlock signal, the identification flag G is set to 1 (execute) (step S117), and the reception strength of the second unlock signal is determined by a general method. (Step S118), it is determined whether or not the internal flag X is set to 1; if YES (X = 1), the process proceeds to step S121; if NO (X = 0), the process proceeds to step S120.

Step S120: When the internal flag X is 1, the threshold value S at which the locking operation should be performed at a position closer to the vehicle than when the threshold value S is the initial value J2 when the threshold value S is equal to J1. It is determined whether the reception strength of the second unlock signal detected in step S118 is larger than J1. If YES (when larger than J1), the process proceeds to step S122, and if NO (less than J1). Time), the process proceeds to step S126.

Step S121: When the internal flag X is 0, the threshold value S is equal to the initial value J2 because the operator has not operated the setting switch 30 or a predetermined time has elapsed from the set timing. It is determined whether or not the reception strength of the second unlock signal detected in step S118 is larger than J2.
If it is larger than 2), the process proceeds to step S122 and NO
(When smaller than J2), the process proceeds to step S126.

Step S122: Instruct the door lock mechanism 3 to perform an unlock operation.

Step S123: To notify the operator that the unlock operation has been performed, the horn is
A beep is sounded (a hazard lamp or the like may blink), and the process returns to step S102.

Step S124: If the determination in step S111 is NO, it is determined whether or not the identification flag G is 1; if the determination is YES (G = 1), the process proceeds to step S125, and if NO (G = 0) In some cases, the process returns to step S102.

Step S125: In this step, when the received signal indicates the lock signal, or the operation by the second unlock signal described with reference to FIG. 4 is currently being executed, the signal cannot be detected. The identification flag G is reset to 0 because it is any of the cases.

Step S126: Instruct the door lock mechanism 3 to perform a lock operation.

Step S127: As an example, a horn is sounded once (a hazard lamp or the like may be blinked) to notify the operator that the locking operation has been performed, and the process returns to step S102.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a transmission process performed by the portable device for the lock / unlock operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, a built-in battery (not shown) is set in the portable device 1. It is started by doing.

In the figure, step S31: It is determined whether or not the second unlock switch 13 has been pressed. If the second unlock switch 13 has been pressed (YES), the process proceeds to step S32, and if not (NO), the process proceeds to step S51.

Step S32: It is determined whether or not the first unlock switch 11 has been pressed, and the switch has been pressed (YES).
Sometimes, in step S33, the button is not pressed (NO
), The process proceeds to step S38.

Here, in the case of the portable device 1B, step S
In the determinations in step S31 and step S32, the time during which the first unlock switch 11A is pressed is detected, and it is determined whether the detected time is longer or shorter than a predetermined time.

Step S33: The buzzer 2 is pressed to notify the operator that the first unlock switch 11 has been pressed.
Sounds 0 once.

Step S34: The bit string of the first unlock signal is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Step S35: It is determined whether or not the internal flag F indicating that any one of the three types of signals is transmitted from the portable device 1 is 1. If YES (F = 1), the process proceeds to step S36, and if NO, If (F = 0), step S3
Go to 7.

Step S36: The transmitter 18 sends out the first unlock signal once or twice at the transmission electric field strength K2, and proceeds to step S42. This step corresponds to the case of FIG.

Step S37: The first unlock signal is transmitted from the transmitter 18 at the transmission electric field strength K1, and
Proceed to 42. This step corresponds to the case of FIG.

Step S38: If no operation of the first and second unlock switches is detected, it is determined whether the lock switch 12 has been pressed, and the lock switch 12 has been pressed (Y
If (ES), the process proceeds to step S39. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S43.

Step S39: The buzzer 20 sounds once to notify the operator that the lock switch 12 has been pressed.

Step S40: The bit sequence of the lock signal is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Step S41: When the internal flag F = 0 (corresponding to the case of FIG. 7) only once, and
When the internal flag F = 1 (corresponding to the case of FIG. 7)
The lock signal from the transmitter 18 only twice (or 0 or 1 as described above).
Send out at 2.

Step S42: Reset the internal flag F to 0 and return.

Step S43: It is determined whether or not the internal flag F is 1; if YES (F = 1), step S5
If NO (F = 0), the process returns.

Step S51: To notify the operator that the second unlock switch 13 has been pressed, the buzzer 2
Sounds 0 twice.

Steps S52 and S53: The internal flag F is set to 1 (step S52), and the counter C for counting the number of times the second unlock signal is transmitted intermittently for a predetermined number of times is reset to 0.

Step S54: The bit string of the second unlock signal is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Steps S55 to S57: The second unlock signal is transmitted from the transmitter 18 at the transmission electric field strength K2 of 1
It is transmitted only once (step S55), and 1 is added to the count value of the counter C (step S56). Then, it is determined whether the count value of the counter C is a predetermined value N (N = 4 in FIG. 7) (step S57), and if YES (count value = predetermined value N), the process proceeds to step S38 and NO
When (count value <predetermined value N), the process returns to further transmit the second unlock signal. These steps are
This corresponds to the case of FIG.

Step S58: The internal flag F is reset to 0.

Step S59: The buzzer 20 sounds once to notify the operator that the predetermined number of transmissions of the second unlock signal has been completed.

Step S60: Reset the counter C to 0 and return.

As described above, by operating the portable device 1 and the on-vehicle device 2, when the threshold value S is set to J1 (J1> J2) by the setting switch 30, the locking process by the on-vehicle device 2 is performed. This can be performed when the portable device 1 (operator) is located closer than the case where the threshold value S = J2. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a keyless entry system which is excellent in the convenience of the operator and can change the execution timing of the lock operation by the setting of the operator.

In this embodiment, the second unlock signal is transmitted intermittently a predetermined number of times.
Power consumption can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the threshold value S is changed by the setting switch 30 provided on the vehicle-mounted device 2, but since the portable device 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 2 can communicate with each other, the portable device 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 2 can communicate with each other. The device 1 may be further provided with an operation switch, and the threshold value S of the vehicle-mounted device 2 may be changed by a predetermined wireless signal transmitted from the transmitter 18 in response to the operation of the operation switch.

<Modification 1 of First Embodiment> This Modification 1
Then, in order to improve the security between the portable device 1 and the on-vehicle device 2, the on-vehicle device 2 sends out a challenge signal including a different random number every time the lock / unlock process is executed. Upon receiving the challenge signal, the portable device 1
When performing the above-described transmission processing, a predetermined operation is performed using a random number included in the signal to generate an encryption code, and a response signal including the generated encryption code is transmitted to the on-vehicle device 2.
To send to. Then, the on-vehicle device 2 creates an encryption code by performing a predetermined operation similar to that of the portable device 1 using the random number transmitted as the challenge signal, and compares the created encryption code with the encryption code included in the response signal. Only when the comparison result matches, the wireless signal received this time is determined to be a signal from the legitimate (paired) portable device 1 and lock / unlock operation is performed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a challenge signal and a response signal according to a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the challenge signal and the response signal each include a predetermined start bit, a portable device ID bit representing an identification number of each portable device, a random number bit or an encryption code bit, a parity according to a general method. Each of the fields 201 to 205 is a bit and a predetermined end bit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of adding an on-vehicle device according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and this process is added to the part "Q" in FIG.

In the figure, steps S1001 and S1002: The bit string of the challenge signal including the random number bit in the field 203 is transmitted from the RAM 27 to the transmitter 28.
(Step S1001), and the bit string is modulated by the transmitter 28 and transmitted.

Step S1003, Step S100
4: It is determined whether a response signal has been received by the receiver 29 before the designated time has elapsed, and when the response signal has been received (NO in step S1003, Y in step S1004)
If it is ES, the process proceeds to step S1004. When the signal is not received (YES in step S1003)
), The process proceeds to step S126 in FIG.

Step S1005, Step S100
6: An encryption code is calculated according to the random number bit data transmitted as the challenge signal in step S1002 (step S1005), and whether the calculated encryption code matches the encryption code included in the field 203 of the received response signal Is determined (step S100
6) When they match (when YES), the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 8 to perform the unlocking operation, but when they do not match (when NO), the process proceeds to step S126 in FIG. 8 to perform the locking operation. Do.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for adding a portable device according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. This process is added to the "P" portion in FIG.

In the figure, step S2001: It is determined whether a challenge signal has been received. If YES (when received), the process proceeds to step S2003, and if NO (when not received), the process returns.

Step S2002: The data of the field 202 (portable device ID bit) of the received signal is compared with its own ID data stored in advance, and when both data match (YES), step S20 is performed.
If it does not match 03 (NO), the process returns because the currently received signal is not a wireless signal from the target vehicle-mounted device 2.

Step S2003: Step S2001
A cryptographic code is calculated in accordance with random number bit data included in the field 203 of the challenge signal received in step (1), and a response signal including the calculated code is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Step S2004: A response signal is transmitted from the transmitter 18 at the transmission electric field strength K2, and the process returns.

<Modification 2 of First Embodiment> Modification 2 of the First Embodiment
Then, in order to improve security between the portable device 1 and the on-vehicle device 2, a rolling bit field having a different bit arrangement is added to each of the first and second unlock signals every time a signal is transmitted.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of the first and second unlock signals B in the modification 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the first and second unlock signals in FIG. This means that a rolling bit field 106 is added.

The bit arrangement of these rolling bits is
Every time transmission / reception is performed between the portable device 1 and the on-vehicle device 2, the state changes in the same manner. In this modified example, the portable device 1
The in-vehicle device 2 transmits the first or second unlock signal B including the rolling bit calculated by itself in the field 106, and the bit array of the current rolling bit calculated by itself and the rolling bit received from the portable device 1. The wireless signal received this time is determined to be a signal from the legitimate (paired) portable device 1 and the lock / unlock operation is performed only when the comparison result matches.

According to these modifications, by operating the portable device 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 2, the convenience of the operator is improved, and the execution timing of the lock operation can be changed by the setting of the operator. In addition, the portable device 1 and the on-board device 2
Between the security can be improved.

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, the first
As an example, based on the hardware of the portable device 1 and the on-vehicle device 2 described in the first embodiment, only the second unlock switch 13 and the lock switch 12 are provided in the portable device 1 as an example. An example will be described in which the portable device 1 always transmits the first unlock signal shown in FIG. 6 from the transmitter 18 at a predetermined time period when is not pressed. Further, in the present embodiment, a description will be given on the premise of a system in which a plurality of portable devices 1 are paired with one vehicle-mounted device 2.

The second unlock signal or the lock signal transmitted when the second unlock switch 13 or the lock switch 12 is depressed is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the duplicated description will be omitted. .

In the present embodiment, the setting switch 30 provided on the vehicle-mounted device 2 can set an execution timing (predetermined time T1) at which the locking operation is to be performed.

Here, the setting switch 30 will be described. In the present embodiment, the operator can set the execution timing (predetermined time T1) of the lock operation by the setting switch 30 in the vehicle immediately before getting off or in the vicinity of the vehicle immediately after getting off. The operation of the setting switch 30 includes, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 10
When the switch is pressed a predetermined number of times or more, the setting may be returned to 0 second (when the switch is returned to 0 second, the operation of the switch is canceled). Further, instead of determining the predetermined time T1 according to the number of times the setting switch 30 is pressed, the predetermined time T1 may be determined linearly or non-linearly according to the time during which the switch is pressed.

The setting state of the setting switch 30 can be confirmed by sounding the buzzer 31 as many times as the number of times the setting switch 30 is depressed, or by sounding the buzzer for a predetermined time T1 (for example, short or long, or , Etc.). Thereby, the operator can easily confirm the setting state.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are flowcharts of lock / unlock processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, the power supply unit (not shown) of the vehicle-mounted device 2 supplies power from the battery of the vehicle. Is started.

In the figure, step S71: RO
The ID data of the portable device 1 stored in M26 is stored in RA
Read into M27.

Step S72: By detecting the state of the ignition key switch 8, it is determined whether or not the ignition key is off. If YES (off), the process proceeds to step S73; if NO (not off), The process proceeds to step S110 in FIG. In this embodiment, the state of the ignition key switch is detected in step S72, but this detection processing may be omitted and step S73 may be performed after step S71.

Step S73: It is determined whether or not the setting switch 30 has been operated. If YES (operated), the process proceeds to step S74. If NO (not operated), the process proceeds to step S76.

Step S74: An internal flag X indicating that the predetermined time T1 has been set by the setting switch 30 is set to 1.

Step S75: The execution timing of the lock operation is set to a predetermined time T1.

Step S76: It is determined whether or not all doors are locked by the door knob switch 7, and the YE
When S (locked), the process proceeds to step S77, and when NO (any door is not locked), the process proceeds to step S78.

Step S77: It is determined whether or not the internal flag X is set to 1. When YES (X = 1), the process proceeds to step S89 in FIG. 16, and when NO (X = 0), the process proceeds to step S110 in FIG. move on.

Step S78: If any of the doors is not locked by the determination in step S77, it is determined by the door switch 6 whether or not the door on the driver's seat side is open. If YES (open), step S79 is performed.
If NO (closed), the process proceeds to step S80.

Step S79: The set state of the vehicle-mounted device 2, ie, the predetermined time T1, is notified by the buzzer 31 so as to be identifiable.

Step S80: It is determined whether or not the door on the driver's seat side has been closed by the door switch 6 from an open state. If YES (closed), the process proceeds to step S81 in FIG. 16, and NO (open). ) Sometimes, the process returns to step S73.

Step S81: It is determined whether or not the internal flag X is set to 1. If YES (X = 1), the process proceeds to step S82, and if NO (X = 0), the process proceeds to step S82.
It proceeds to step S110 of FIG.

Step S82: A timer for measuring a predetermined time T1 (including T2 described later) is reset and started.

Step S83: It is determined whether or not at least one portable device 1 is in the vehicle, and YES (it is in the vehicle)
In some cases, the process proceeds to step S84, and in the case of NO (not in the vehicle), the process proceeds to step S85. Here, as a method for determining that the portable device 1 is in the vehicle, the reception electric field strength of the radio signal received by the on-vehicle device 2 is calculated by a general method, and the calculated reception electric field intensity is calculated for a predetermined time. If the electric field strength is larger than the predetermined electric field strength and is substantially constant, the portable device 1 having the portable device ID included in the received signal is left in the vehicle, or the operator carrying the portable device 1 is in the vehicle. Can be detected.

Step S84: A predetermined radio signal is transmitted from the transmitter 28 in order to notify the portable device and / or another portable device 1 that at least one portable device 1 is in the vehicle. The portable device 1 that has received the wireless signal is configured to sound the buzzer 20). Thus, the operator can recognize that at least one portable device 1 is in the vehicle, and can prohibit the automatic lock process in step S88. In particular, according to this configuration, for example, a system in which one portable device 1 is paired with the on-vehicle device 2 and the portable device 1 transmits a radio signal only when an operation switch is operated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Is transmitted, it is possible to prevent the operator who has left the portable device from being unable to return to the inside of the vehicle due to the lock process after the predetermined time T1 has elapsed.

Step S85: It is determined whether or not the count value of the timer which started counting in step S82 has become greater than T1, and if YES (count value> T1), the flow advances to step S86; if NO (count value has exceeded T1). If it is shorter, the process proceeds to step S92.

Step S92: It is detected by the door switch 6 which door has been opened, and if YES (open), the process returns to step S82 in order to start the predetermined time T1 from 0 again, and NO (close) Has been
In some cases, the process returns to step S85 to continue counting the time of the timer.

Step S86: To notify the portable device 1 (operator) that the locking operation has been performed since the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the horn is sounded once as an example (a hazard lamp or the like may blink). Alternatively, a predetermined wireless signal is transmitted from the transmitter 28 (the portable device 1 having received the wireless signal is configured to sound the buzzer 20).

Step S87: It is detected by the door switch 6 which door has been opened, and if YES (open), the process returns to step S82 in order to start a predetermined time T1 from 0 again, and NO (close) Has been
Sometimes, the process proceeds to step S88.

Step S88: Instruct the door lock mechanism 3 to perform a lock operation.

Step S89: It is detected by the door knob switch 7 that the unlock operation has been performed by the door knob of any of the doors, and if YES (operation has been performed), the predetermined time T1 is counted from 0 again. S
Returning to 82, if NO (while in the locked state), the process proceeds to step S90. By this determination processing, for example, when an occupant who does not have the portable device 1 remains in the vehicle,
When the doorknob switch 7 in the locked state is unlocked and the vehicle is later disembarked, the count of the timer is reset and started in step S82, so that appropriate lock processing can be performed again.

Step S90: It is determined whether or not the count value of the timer which has started measuring time in step S82 has become larger than T2 (>> T1: for example, about 30 minutes), and YES
When (count value> T2), the process proceeds to step S91, and when NO (count value is shorter than T2), FIG.
Go to step S110.

Step S91: The count value of the timer is T
If it is larger than 2, the internal flag X is reset to 0.

Steps S110 to S127: This is substantially the same as the flowchart in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted. However, in this embodiment, the lock / unlock operation by the second unlock signal is performed. Since the threshold value is fixed at the predetermined value J, step S11 in FIG.
Instead of the steps 9 to S121, after detecting the electric field strength of the received signal in step S118, the detected value is compared with a predetermined value J in step S120A, and when the detected value is larger than the predetermined value J, step S1 is executed.
The unlocking process is performed at step S22, and the lock process at step S126 is different when the size is smaller.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a transmission process performed by the portable device for the locking / unlocking operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, a built-in battery (not shown) is set in the portable device 1. It is started by doing.

In the figure, step S11: It is determined whether the second unlock switch 13 or the lock switch 12 has been pressed, and if either of them has been pressed (YES), the process proceeds to step S15, and if not, it is not pressed (NO). ) Sometimes, the process proceeds to step S12.

Step S12: It is determined whether a predetermined period for transmitting the first unlock signal has elapsed. If YES (predetermined period), the process proceeds to step S13. If NO (not the predetermined period), the process proceeds to step S11. Return.

Step S13: The bit sequence of the first unlock signal is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Step S14: The transmitter 18 sends out the first unlock signal once at the transmission electric field strength K2, and returns to step S11.

Step S15: The type of the operated switch is determined. If the switch is the second unlock switch 13, the process proceeds to step S16. If the switch is the lock switch 12, the process proceeds to step S19.

Step S16: The bit string of the second unlock signal is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Step S17: The second unlock signal is transmitted from the transmitter 18 at the transmission electric field strength K2.

Step S18: The buzzer 20 is sounded twice to notify the operator that the predetermined number of transmissions of the second unlock signal has been completed, and the process returns to step S11.

Step S19: The bit sequence of the lock signal is output from the RAM 17 to the transmitter 18.

Step S20: The lock signal is transmitted from the transmitter 18 at the transmission electric field strength K2.

Step S21: The buzzer 20 sounds once to notify the operator that the lock signal has been transmitted, and the process returns to step S11.

As described above, when the predetermined time T1 is set by the setting switch 30 by operating the portable device 1 and the in-vehicle device 2, the locking process by the in-vehicle device 2 is performed after the elapse of the predetermined time T1 from the setting. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a keyless entry system which is excellent in the convenience of the operator and can change the execution timing of the lock operation by the setting of the operator.

The method of transmitting and receiving a challenge signal and a response signal and the method of adding a rolling bit described in the modification of the first embodiment are also applicable to the second embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, since the portable device 1 and the on-vehicle device 2 can communicate with each other, the portable device 1 is further provided with an operation switch, and the transmission is transmitted from the transmitter 18 in accordance with the operation of the operation switch. The predetermined time T may be set by a predetermined radio signal.

In this embodiment, the predetermined time T1 can be set. However, an operation switch for changing the threshold value S described in the first embodiment is provided.
May be configured to be performed together.

In each of the above embodiments, the open / closed state of the door is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained by detecting the open / closed state of the trunk or the rear hatchback.

[0160]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a keyless entry system that is excellent in convenience for the operator and can change the execution timing of the lock operation by setting of the operator.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lock operation is automatically performed in accordance with the reception electric field strength of the radio signal by, for example, setting the predetermined time to a time required to slightly move away from the vehicle after getting off the vehicle. , The convenience of the operator can be improved as compared with the case where only the operation is performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, when there are a plurality of occupants, the convenience can be further improved.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, the convenience can be further improved when, for example, an occupant who does not carry a portable device gets off the vehicle later.

According to the fifth and nineteenth aspects of the present invention, the setting can be made in the vehicle before getting off the vehicle. For example, when a large amount of luggage must be held with both hands and the user gets off the vehicle, both hands are free. The predetermined time (threshold value) can be set in advance before the device can be used, and the convenience can be further improved.

Further, according to the invention of claims 6 to 8, since the operation of the control means can be prohibited by the operator's will, the convenience can be further improved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, the portable device transmits a radio signal for instructing unlock only when an operation switch is operated, and the portable device has a one-to-one correspondence. In the case of a system that is paired with an in-vehicle device, if the operator leaves the portable device in the vehicle after setting the predetermined time, the lock operation is prohibited, thereby preventing the operator from being unable to return to the vehicle. And the convenience can be further improved.

According to the tenth and twentieth aspects of the present invention, for example, the predetermined time (threshold) can be set even after getting off the vehicle, so that the convenience can be further improved.

Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the threshold is set to the received electric field intensity at a position slightly away from the vehicle after getting off, so that the received electric field intensity of the radio signal is smaller than the initial value. In this case, the convenience of the operator can be improved as compared with the case where only the locking operation is performed when the lock operation is performed.

According to the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects of the present invention, for example, when the operator carrying the portable device returns to the vehicle again, the reception electric field strength of the radio signal is reduced to the initial value. When the value becomes larger than the value, the unlocking operation is performed at a position far from the vehicle as compared with the case of the large threshold value changed by the setting means, so that the convenience can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outer shape of a portable device of a keyless entry system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external shape of a portable device of the keyless entry system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outer shape of a portable device of the keyless entry system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a basic operation of the vehicle-mounted device when the second unlock signal is transmitted from the portable device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a keyless entry system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission signal that can be transmitted by the portable device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a wireless signal transmitted by the portable device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a lock / unlock process performed by the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a lock / unlock process performed by the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a transmission process performed by the portable device for a lock / unlock operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a challenge signal and a response signal according to a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adding an in-vehicle device according to Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adding a portable device according to Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of first and second unlock signals B in Modification 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a lock / unlock process performed by the vehicle-mounted device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a lock / unlock process performed by the vehicle-mounted device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a lock / unlock process performed by the on-vehicle device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a transmission process performed by the portable device for a lock / unlock operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B: portable device, 2: on-board device, 3: door lock mechanism, 6: door switch, 7: door knob switch, 8: ignition key switch, 11, 11A: first unlock switch, 12: lock switch , 13: second unlock switch, 15, 25: CPU, 16, 26: ROM, 17, 27: RAM, 18, 28: transmitter, 19, 29: receiver, 20, 31: buzzer, 30: setting switch,

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A keyless entry system in which an in-vehicle device controls a locking / unlocking operation of a door lock mechanism in accordance with a received electric field strength of a radio signal transmitted from a portable device, A keyless entry system comprising: control means for instructing the door lock mechanism to lock after a predetermined period of time elapses from a timing at which a door of a vehicle equipped with the device is closed. 2. The keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts measuring the predetermined time from a timing when all doors of the vehicle are closed. 3. The keyless system according to claim 2, wherein the control means resets the timing of the predetermined time when any one of the doors of the vehicle is opened during the timing of the predetermined time. Entry system. 4. The keyless entry system according to claim 2, wherein the door includes a trunk. 5. The keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein the on-vehicle device further includes a setting unit that can arbitrarily set the predetermined time. 6. The keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein the on-vehicle device further includes a prohibition unit that prohibits the operation of the control unit when a predetermined operation is not performed. 7. The keyless entry according to claim 6, wherein the prohibition unit prohibits the operation of the control unit when the predetermined operation is not performed until the door is closed. system. 8. The portable device further comprises a setting unit capable of setting the predetermined time, and transmits the predetermined time set by the setting unit to the on-vehicle device, and the prohibiting unit includes: 7. The keyless entry system according to claim 6, wherein when a wireless signal indicating the predetermined time is not received from the control unit, it is determined that the predetermined operation has not been performed, and the operation of the control unit is prohibited. 9. The control unit includes a detection unit that detects whether the portable device is present in a vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device based on a magnitude of an electric field intensity of a received wireless signal, 2. The keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein the lock operation is prohibited when the detection unit detects that the portable device is present in the vehicle. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control means resets the counting of the predetermined time when detecting an unlock by a lock knob of a vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device after the predetermined time has elapsed. 1. The keyless entry system according to 1. 11. The portable device further comprises setting means for setting the predetermined time, and transmits the predetermined time set by the setting means to the control means of the on-vehicle device. The keyless entry system according to claim 1. 12. A keyless entry system in which an in-vehicle device controls a locking / unlocking operation of a door lock mechanism according to a result of comparing a received electric field strength of a radio signal transmitted from a portable device with a threshold value. The on-vehicle device sets the threshold value to a predetermined value when detecting that a door of a vehicle on which the on-vehicle device is mounted has been closed or opened, or that an ignition key switch has been turned off. A keyless entry system comprising control means for changing the value to a value larger than the initial value. 13. The in-vehicle device further comprises: setting means capable of setting whether or not the threshold value needs to be changed by the control means; and controlling the control when a predetermined operation is not performed on the setting means. The keyless entry system according to claim 12, further comprising: a prohibition unit that prohibits the operation of the unit. 14. The control device according to claim 13, wherein the prohibiting unit prohibits the operation of the control unit when the predetermined operation is not performed until the door is closed.
The described keyless entry system. 15. The portable device further comprises setting means for setting whether or not the threshold value needs to be changed, and transmitting the necessity state set by the setting means to the on-vehicle device, 13. The keyless entry system according to claim 12, wherein the prohibition unit prohibits the operation of the control unit when not receiving a wireless signal indicating that the threshold value needs to be changed from the portable device. 16. The control unit returns the threshold value to the initial value after a lapse of a predetermined time from a timing at which an ignition key switch of a vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device is turned off. Item 13. The keyless entry system according to Item 12. 17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control unit returns the threshold value to the initial value after a lapse of a predetermined time from a timing at which a door of a vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle device is closed. Keyless entry system. 18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means returns said threshold value to said initial value when a received electric field intensity of said radio signal is smaller than a predetermined value smaller than said initial value. Keyless entry system. 19. The keyless entry system according to claim 12, wherein the on-vehicle device includes the setting unit. 20. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the portable device includes the setting unit, and transmits a threshold value set by the setting unit to the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device.
2. The keyless entry system according to 2.